Leicester City boss Nigel named Sky Bet Manager of the Month

The Foxes boss collects the award after a flawless start to 2014 for his side, who won all five of their Sky Bet Championship matches during the month to move into pole position in the race for automatic promotion

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has been named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for January.

The Foxes boss collects the award after a flawless start to 2014 for his side, who won all five of their Sky Bet Championship matches during the month to move into pole position in the race for automatic promotion.

City currently lead the division by 10 points from second-placed Queens Park Rangers, having set a new Club record of nine consecutive league victories – a run that started in mid-December.

Nigel said: “I’m really pleased to have won the award, but I recognise individual accolades such as this as a group achievement, as you can only be a success in a team sport through collective endeavour.

“The players and backroom staff deserve an awful lot of credit for the results we have achieved in the last few weeks, but it’s vital now that we focus on the months ahead and achieving our main objective this season, which is promotion.”

Dave Bassett, chair of the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “January was fantastic month for Nigel Pearson, which ended with a Club-record [of consecutive wins].

“Leicester have maintained their momentum and they are now in a great position at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.”

Sky Bet Head of Football Paul Wiggins said: “A perfect month for Nigel Pearson’s Foxes has seen them leap ahead in the Sky Bet Championship title race.

“The signing of Kevin Philips paid dividends immediately as he came on to make the difference at Leeds United in what was the toughest encounter they faced in the month.”

Striker David Nugent missed out to Reading's Adam Le Fondre in the Player of the Month award.